What color is the water today?

Our house overlooks a bay in Maine. This morning I asked "What color is the water today" and answered myself: "Slate gray." She added "With an undertone of cornflower blue crayon... and putty." 


This really struck me, as it came from a person who makes fun of the descriptions of wines. But a very discerning person. 

The water is indeed a different color each day. And each day is different from the last. Gives you something to look forward to and to appreciate. 

Do you know what sea smoke is?

On very cold mornings we see sea smoke in the bay. It's a thin layer of condensed water vapor right above the surface of the water. Sea smoke is caused by very cold air coming in over warmer water. The evaporating water molecules condense as they enter the colder air. Sea smoke is quite wispy and incredibly beautiful. As it is often windy here, we enjoy seeing the sea smoke being blown across the bay. 


Recently I observed two crows sitting in their favorite tree down by the water. Like me, they sat and watched. A short work for piano (or flute and piano, or clarinet and piano... oboe would be perhaps a bit melancholy) was the result. Strangely enough it is titled "Two Crows in a Tree Watching Sea Smoke." Here is an image of the first page. I'll post the piece to my web site in a few days.